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This article originally appeared on GoMason.com.

This past weekend, George Mason softball claimed an impressive series win against the Saint Louis Billikens. Beyond the Patriots’ performance on the field, Saturday’s doubleheader also featured a meaningful collaboration with the Patriot Pantry.

On Saturday, April 11, the Patriot Pantry was on-site collecting donations. The organization supports George Mason University students facing food insecurity by providing access to non-perishable food and hygiene items, while also raising awareness about the prevalence of food insecurity on campus, the challenges students face in meeting basic needs, and the resources available to support their overall well-being. Operated through the Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) within the Division of University Life, the pantry relies heavily on community contributions to keep its shelves stocked.

Throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for game one against the Billikens was John Eichler, Coordinator for Basic Needs Services for SSAC. In a show of sportsmanship and community support, the Saint Louis softball team also contributed donations while visiting for the crucial conference matchup.

George Mason softball thanks everyone in attendance who helped contribute to this meaningful cause and looks forward to continuing to make a positive impact within the George Mason community. 

 

By Andrea Cifuentes, Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Edited by Chelsea Xu, UL Marketing and Communications.  

This spring, George Mason’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being (CWB) brought something simple to three campuses: coffee, conversation, and a question worth sitting with: What does well-being look like for you? 

Brewing Connections, part of CWB’s Spring into Well-Being 2026 series, ran as a pop-up event at the Science and Technology Campus on March 4, Mason Square on March 17, and the Fairfax Campus on March 25. The series drew 34 students and eight faculty and staff members. Kindness Ambassadors and Student Strengths Coaches were on site at each stop, using conversational cards to guide discussions around strengths, well-being strategies, and what kindness looks like in practice. 

Student Strengths Coaches also held one-on-one conversations with attendees who wanted to explore how their natural talents show up in academic and professional life — the kind of exchange that’s harder to have in a classroom. 

Mica Torrico Fernandez, a junior majoring in marketing and one of the coaches at the event, saw it happen in real time. “The true value of Brewing Connections shines through in the ‘aha’moments,” she said. “It was incredible to watch students’ faces light up as they began to understand the unique patterns of behavior and how they connect to their talents. Having these conversations allows us to shift from theory to personal application in a relaxed setting. Beyond the coffee, this event empowered students to visualize what a full coaching session can offer, and how to intentionally search for personal and professional development.” 

George Mason students who have completed the free CliftonStrengths assessment can schedule one-on-one sessions with trained peer coaches throughout the semester. The sessions draw on the 34 talent themes developed by the Gallup Organization. 

 

By Nina Cox, University Career Services.

Educators are in high demand, and the field offers myriad avenues for job seekers to explore. Given that demand and the diverse career opportunities, University Life’s University Career Services (UCS) unit expanded its Education Recruitment Day into a full week of programming this February. Education Careers Week featured a weeklong celebration of career exploration, collaboration, and learning for students interested in teaching, human development, or working with kids.   

Designed to provide opportunities for the George Mason community to make connections and explore evolving career paths, the week included dynamic workshops, panels, a networking mixer, and a site visit to Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)–the ninth-largest school district in the nation. The week also featured an on-campus recruitment track, giving students the chance to interview directly with education employers. These programs showcased not just the range of career paths available, but also how George Mason is preparing and connecting the next generation of educators, leaders, and innovators. At least four students who participated received job offers.  

The week concluded with a special site visit to the FCPS Gatehouse Administration Center in Falls Church, Virginia. The first-of-its-kind collaboration between George Mason and FCPS gave students an inside look at one of the nation’s largest school systems. Participants met with central office and human resources professionals to learn about hiring timelines, interview strategies, and professional development programs such as the Great Beginnings Summer Institute. The visit provided a clear view of the many roles—both inside and beyond the classroom—that drive a vibrant public school community.  

 “I loved learning the different career paths and trajectories of each panelist,” said Jia Liu, a social work master’s student. “There was no linear path, which I thought was interesting and inspiring.”  

Community collaboration at its best 

Throughout the week, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni lent their time and expertise as panelists and moderators, providing students with firsthand insight into education as both a calling and a career. The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) Alumni Board played a leading role in moderating sessions, highlighting the lasting connection between graduates and current students. “The George Mason community came together to make Education Careers Week a success,” said Saskia Campbell, UCS executive director. “That collaboration made it possible to expand our programming and networking opportunities for students.” 

Event attendees represented eight of the university’s Colleges, spanning majors in education, business, government, STEM, and more. Half of the attendees were graduate students, indicating that the education sector attracts talent from across disciplines and at every stage of career development.  

“I initially had no intention of attending Education Careers Week. However, after speaking with my career coach, I decided to attend to gather information about the type of education career I wanted to pursue. I gained valuable insights that guided me throughout the job application process,” said Valeria Alejandra Reyes-Chain, a school psychology master’s student.  

Accruing valuable insights  

Several takeaways crystallized from the week’s discussions and events: 

• Education welcomes all skill sets. Whether you’re a natural communicator, problem solver, technologist, or creative thinker, the education sector offers a place to make an impact. 

• Career growth is about continuous learning. From student teaching to leadership, each experience builds toward a career that can evolve across roles, grade levels, and even industries.  
• Community makes the difference. Education Careers Week demonstrated George Mason’s culture of shared purpose. Students, alumni, and partners supported each other in the pursuit of meaningful work. The weeklong event underscored a key message: No matter your major, experience level, or background, a career in education is a way to make a difference in the world.   

 

 

By Mathilda Tataw, Student Media. Edited by Chelsea Xu, UL Marketing and Communications.  

Women make up the majority of college students in the United States — and have for decades. Yet their stories, in the curriculum and in cultural conversation, remain underrepresented. On March 30, a gathering in Fenwick Library’s A Wing made a small, deliberate argument against that gap. 

Hosted by the Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement (CLIE) and Watershed Lit, “More Than a Moment: Women’s History Month” was equal parts community event and space of care — a few hours carved out for literature, art, food, and unhurried conversation in the midst of a packed academic calendar. Printed artworks lined up the walls. A book swap table offered everything from fantasy to immigrant narratives to first-generation coming-of-age stories. Four-person tables, as vendor Brittany Symoné of DetoxArt.co put it, were “safe for introverts and extroverts to either sit silently, color, and read — or have a nice long conversation getting to know someone.” 

Symoné designed a custom line of bookmarks for the event, each one a small prompt around women’s empowerment, personal autonomy, and rest. Her presence was intentional. “I wanted to provide a service and a space that allows everyone to meet, reflect, and relax during challenging times,” she said. “From laws, government policies, massive social media posts — we are all impacted by what happens in the world. I want to give people a mere moment in the day to just connect.” 

That impulse — to make space, rather than just make noise — resonated with the students who showed up. First-generation student Bruck Mesfin knew what drew him in. “I always find it relaxing to come to events like these, not only to decompress and catch a quick snack,” he said, “but, seeing the different various books and stories is insightful and interesting. Having a book swap with stuff like fantasy, history, and nonfiction, especially immigrant and first-gen stories.”

Etlin Flores, community director for Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore Residence Halls, echoed the book swap’s range — particularly its immigrant stories, a category that tends to get shelved in the margins of campus programming. 

Not everyone arrived with grand intentions. Transfer student Kamorie Smith came for the free food and books — and found something she didn’t know she was looking for. “Mason has a lot of resources, but they can be hard to navigate,” she said. “We have to go out and find what we need — and sometimes we don’t even know what that is yet.” Events like this help bridge that gap, offering low-stakes, welcoming spaces where students can encounter resources they might not otherwise think to seek out. 

For Symoné, the event’s ambition was always larger than a single afternoon. “We wanted ‘More Than a Moment’ to match the name,” she said. “Looking back and highlighting women’s impact on the sciences, culture, history, and how they build communities. And for young, aspiring voices to be heard. Our voices and history matter — even when someone says they don’t.” 

 

This article originally appeared on Carter School News.

When Jonathan Fang, an Honors College student and a fourth-year undergraduate student at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, began his internship at the Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation (MHCR), he had no idea that he would be facilitating a multi-cultural student dialogue group.

In Spring 2024, during his internship with MHCR, Jonathan and his supervisor, RowdaOlad, aMental Health and Psychosocial Support expert and Associate Director of the MHCR, came upon the idea of developing aseries of student-focused conversations on difficult, but relevant topics to students and inviting different cultural and ethnic student groups to participate.  Furthermore, it was hoped that students would learn to challenge their assumptions, appreciate different points of view and respectfully agree to disagree on sensitive topics through conversation in an open and judgement-free space. 

Discussion topics are pulled from real-life, complex issues facing college students.  Past topics have included Mental Health and Wellbeing, Race and Ethnicity, Political Polarization, and Interpersonal Relationship Reconciliation.

The idea for Tea Talk originated with the tradition of Somali tea gatherings, Casiriya, where the communities would gather resolve disputes, and is based on the work Olad performed in Eastern Africa.  Fang continues the Somali tradition by serving traditional Somali tea and sambusas, apastry similar to a samosas, at every session.

According to Fang, the first Tea Talk mostly consisted of Carter School Ambassadors, but has since grown to include members of CRU – the Christian Fellowship – the African Student Association, the Muslim Student Association, The College Republicans at Mason, and several other organizations.  Currently, the discussion series is preparing for the fifth, monthly session and averages a dozen student attendees per event.

Fang is pleased with the success of the dialogue series and hopes it will continue to grow.  “It’s great to see students willing to step out of their comfort zone, open up in honest conversation with care and understanding, and listen to different or conflicting perspectives.” 

When asked about the long-term vision for Tea Talk, Fang replied, “We’re looking to deepen and expand its impact both on campus and globally. This includes strengthening university connections and building sustained engagement among students.”

Currently, Fang is participating in a study abroad trip to the Philippines, where he hopes to explore how to build similar programs and to facilitate the exchange of peacebuilding practices in cross-cultural settings.

For information about upcoming Tea Talk sessions, please visit the Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation for dates and times.

 

By Mathilda Tataw, Student Media. Edited by Chelsea Xu, UL Marketing and Communications.
 
On March 19, the Johnson Center Dewberry Hall, Fairfax Campus, filled with music, food, and movement – a living argument that healthy living is bigger than any single prescription. The 29th annual Health and Fitness Expo, free and open to students, faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding community, brought together more than 30 campus and community partners around one shared premise: a healthy life encompasses much more than diet and exercise. 

This year’s Expo introduced two new additions. A “Benefits Fair” offered faculty and staff one-on-one conversations about financial security, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), mental health benefits, and lifestyle resources. The Expo also piloted a “Support Kit” — a discreet bag stocked with health products, feminine hygiene items, and travel-size necessities for difficult moments. “We hope to supply our students, staff, and faculty with a support kit filled with health, safety, and financial resources that can be stored in different offices and places on campus,” said a Human Resources representative. 

Not everyone arrived expecting to leave changed. Austin Kraus, a College of Science sophomore, came for the free food, but stayed for the yoga. “The most interesting part was trying and learning about different types of yoga and medical insurance,” Kraus said.

That range of activities — from cooking to information on healthcare coverage — defined the day. Mason Dining hosted a live cooking demonstration featuring gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-sodium options, walking attendees through recipes tailored to different dietary needs. Sun and Moon Yoga Studio instructor Christine Clardy, who led one of the fitness sessions, took stock of the room. “When I was in college, I did not have events like this,” she said. “Seeing all sorts of support for human life — not just students but the local community and outreach groups too — is amazing.” 

Attendees participated in raffles, health trivia, blood drives, and screenings for glucose levels and heart rate. Community partners, including CommonHealth, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Aetna Better Health of Virginia, were on hand throughout. 

For Jennifer De La Rosa, associate director of Marketing and Communications for University Life, the breadth of the day was the point. “I want everyone to know this event is open to everyone — faculty, staff, students, the entire community,” she said. “It’s about showing them that they can have happy, healthy lives. And that having a healthy life encompasses not just health and food. It includes activities, dancing, singing, creativity, and fitness for all.” 

The Expo was hosted by Student Health Services, Mason Recreation, Mason Dining, Human Resources, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, University Life Marketing and Communications, and the Office of Risk, Safety, and Resilience. The collaborative effort illustrates that at George Mason, the infrastructure for student success extends well beyond the classroom. 

 

By Joisanne Rodgers, Contemporary Student Services. Edited by Chelsea Xu, UL Marketing and Communications.  

At George Mason University, “All Together Different” is a defining idea that reflects a student body shaped by real-life responsibilities, including the many students raising children or caring for family members.  

This year, more than 30 percent of George Mason students who participated in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) reported spending time in their week caregiving—for children, siblings, parents, or other family members. That’s not a footnote. It’s a significant portion of the student body navigating coursework alongside responsibilities that many campus programs weren’t built to acknowledge. University Life’s Contemporary Student Services (CSS) unit is working to change that.  

CSS’s monthly Student Parent and Caregiver Meetups are spaces designed to foster connection and build support networks that research links to student retention and success. This year, it received the NASPA Adult Learner and Students with Children Knowledge Community’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student Parent Program award, which honors innovative approaches to supporting the unique needs of student parents in higher education. 

Supporting student success means recognizing those realities and meeting students as learners and caregivers at the same time. Each student and staff member involved gives care, time, support, and so much more to ensure that George Mason student parents and caregivers have a place to gather, be in community, and know they belong and matter. “This space was one of the biggest contributors to my sense of belonging at George Mason,” commented alumna Veronica Vassar (MA Higher Education and Student Development ’25), reflecting on her participation in the program. 

Building a support system 

The meetups began as virtual gatherings during COVID-19 lockdown in spring 2020, conceived and hosted by CSS Associate Director Shyama Kuver. By fall 2022, the initiative had growninto an in-person program co-led by undergraduate student parent and FamilyU Fellow Valeria Fernandez. After her fellowship, Fernandez continued her work with CSS as a Contemporary Student Ambassador, helping grow the program alongside Caroline Simpson, then CSS coordinator and now NSFP assistant director. 

When Fernandez graduated, undergraduate student parent and CSS Ambassador Chathrini Sirisena stepped into the leadership role — and has since joined the alumni community.Today, the meetups continue to flourish thanks to CSS student ambassadors, Mahjabeen Rahman and Kaitlyn La, Ryne Kimlick, an undergraduate student parent and CSS peer mentor,and Maria Garin Jones, CSS coordinator. 

That continuity — students carrying the work forward for other students — speaks to what the program has built over the years. 

“I am so glad to hear that the program has been recognized,” Sirisena said. “As a student parent, being there with others just like me was so meaningful. That feeling of not being alone in the experience is so important, and I am grateful we have been able to create that for our student parents.” 

For Kuver, the recognition reflects something she has believed since the beginning. “The CSS meetups were my first program implementation at George Mason,” she said. “I believe in their importance and in their evolution. I believe in the spirit and necessity of horizontal support networks for our student communities.” 

George Mason University is also a proud recipient of the FamilyU Seal, a national certification recognizing the important work done every day to help student parents pursue their education, access economic mobility, and thrive. Together, these distinctions reflect what the meetups have built over time: a place where student parents know they belong and that their success matters.  

 

 

This article originally appeared on The George.

A new Schar School of Policy and Government undergraduate minor debuts in fall 2026: Lobbying and Advocacy is an interdisciplinary minor that develops students’ understanding of policy institutions and industries, and how to influence both as a professional advocate. 

The program, one of only two in the country and the only one in the Washington, D.C., region, will offer opportunities for experiential learning, including field projects, internships at key Washington, D.C., firms, and the George Mason University’s annual grassroots advocacy trip Mason Lobbies to the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, Virginia.

The course was codeveloped by Schar School Term Professor David K. Rehr, professor of public policy and director of the Center for Business Civic Engagement, and Zayd Hamid, a master of public policy student (with an emphasis in education policy), over a multiyear process.Rehr, a former longtime advocate for major nonprofit organizations including the National Association of Broadcasters and the National Federation of Independent Businesses, is happy to share the inspiration for the course with Hamid, who had the idea as an undergraduate in the Schar School’s public administration program. 

“He drafted the outline of the minor and I adjusted it to maximize value for students from various George Mason departments whose students could benefit,” he said. Students in degree programs including business, communication, conflict analysis and resolution, environmental and sustainability studies, economics, and other fields would find lobbying skills useful.

“Given our location near Washington, D.C., the minor will be taught by a stable of top academics and practitioners, and graduates will be prepared to advocate effectively for meaningful and efficient change, even if they do not become full-time lobbyists themselves,” he said.

“The government,” Rehr added, “is increasingly becoming more involved in the activities of businesses, nonprofits, and other industries and professionals who understand the advocacy process who can provide innovative solutions will be increasingly valuable to their employers.”  

For Hamid, the minor is personal. As his graduation approached in spring 2024, the proudly first-generation college student began thinking less about what he had accomplished as a student and more about what he would leave behind.

His college accomplishments were substantial, among them, discovering advocacy through Mason Lobbies, serving as a panelist for a congressional staff briefing on financial aid, and being named the inaugural National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics Student Advocate of the Year, an award he dedicated to Rehr.

“The nexus between all those pivotal moments in my undergraduate years was taking Dr. Rehr’s GOVT 318 Interest Groups, Lobbying, and the Political Process class,” Hamid said. “I am a direct product of the wisdom and industry insights he shared with me and of the mentorship and support he’s given me over the years…. His class and Mason Lobbies shaped the trajectory of my undergraduate experience, cultivating my interest in policy into a passion for education advocacy.”

As he considered what he could leave as a legacy, the answer became clear: “It came down to building the program I wish I had access to as an undergraduate,” he said. 

Hamid, who is a graduate professional assistant with George Mason’s University Life, is cochair of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia Student Advisory Committee, the commonwealth’s coordinating agency for higher education. That latter role, alongside his previous experience as the student representative on the education integrity advisory Mason Core Committee, accustomed him to academic program policies at a state and institutional level. This positioned him to support his and Rehr’s proposal through George Mason’s internal processes, culminating in a final vote by the Undergraduate Council in December, clearing the way for inclusion in the catalog in fall 2026 

The proposal’s review was expedited and streamlined amid political shifts in Washington, which, to Hamid’s mind, created opportunities for employment for graduates. 

“Federal furloughs and a changing Washington, D.C, policy landscape have resulted in more students exploring careers outside of—but adjacent to—Congress and the White House,” he said. “So, this minor also helps the Schar School meet the moment and respond to a shifting job market.”

 

As campus protests and demonstrations have become increasingly common at universities nationwide, George Mason University has taken a proactive approach to supporting students through these events. The Student Expression Advocacy (SEA) Team, part of the university’s Rapid Response Collaborative, exists to ensure that students are informed of their rights, connected to resources, and supported during campus events — from protests and demonstrations to career fairs and commencement ceremonies.  

The team held its spring kickoff meeting on February 12, 2026, bringing together 20 of its 24 members. Facilitated by University Life (UL) Senior Assistant Dean Lori Scher, the meeting centered on the team’s core mission: providing support for student expression during campus protests, demonstrations involving external groups exercising their First Amendment rights, and planned events such as career fairs and commencement ceremonies. To that end, team members worked to establish clear roles and expectations for Advocates, who serve as frontline supporters engaging with students during events, promoting safety, and helping them navigate university policies and understand their rights.  

SEA Team Advisors include Brent Ericson (assistant dean and director of Student Conduct), Josh Kinchen (director of LGBTQ+ Resources), Phil McDaniel (associate director of Student Involvement), and Colton Goodman (assistant director of Housing and Residence Life). UL Planning Manager Angie Villegas (currently on parental leave) has also been instrumental in forming and developing this team. 

“The Advisors [Brent, Josh, Phil, and Colton] are integral to this work,” said Scher. “They each offer deep expertise, which is critical as we work to advance the team’s strategic direction, ensure alignment with university policies, and foster a truly supportive environment for student expression.” 

Scher also emphasized the value of the kickoff meeting in building community among team members: “By coming together, we are not just establishing roles; we are fostering a strong team-based culture that is essential for the success of our mission.” 

The SEA Team is vital for several reasons: 

• Fostering a culture that supports freedom of expression 

• Ensuring students are well-connected to resources and support 

• Collaborating with Risk, Safety, and Resilience (RSR), Emergency Management (EM), and the Police Department (PD) to cultivate strong relationships 

• Helping students adhere to policies and understand their rights 

The team is also working directly with student leaders to assess perceptions of campus demonstrations and the work of UL Rapid Response through student focus groups and outreach efforts, with the goal of strengthening its visibility and connection with the campus community. 

Looking ahead, the Rapid Response Collaborative will expand with the development of a Compassionate Support Team and an Emergency Response Team. Villegas, along with the Advisors, will work on defining roles, determining activation protocols for the various teams, and organizing training sessions that empower this critical work. 

Interested in joining the SEA Team or getting involved in Rapid Response work? Contact Lori Scher or Angie Villegas. 

 

 

By Lisa Snyder, CLIE associate director for leadership education and development 

The Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement (CLIE), in collaboration with Fraternity and Sorority Life, hosted the Alumni Leadership Speaker Series: Leadership in the Letters: Alumni Stories of Impact, held virtually on March 2. The event brought together current students and alumni to explore how leadership experiences at George Mason continue to shape professional journeys after graduation. 

The program was facilitated by Andy Brown and Nicholas Cuevas, CLIE Student Leadership Consultants, who guided a panel discussion with four alumni representing different fraternities and sororities: Selena Chagolla-Segura (Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc.), Najeeba “Najee” Gassel (Zeta Tau Alpha), Kye Farrow (Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.), and Michael Marino (Delta Chi Fraternity). 

Panelists reflected on how their involvement in Fraternity and Sorority Life and other student organizations helped develop leadership skills that continue to influence their professional lives. They emphasized the importance of leading with empathy, recognizing that leadership is not limited to positional roles, and that everyone has the capacity to lead and create impact within their communities. 

“I was honored to be invited to speak on this panel because I am deeply passionate about service, given my experience in Mason Greek Life and now as a fundraiser for a national nonprofit,” said Gassel, who is campaign development manager for Blood Cancer United. “The skills, lessons, and experiences I gained with FSL have a direct connection to my career, and for that, I am so grateful.” 

Valuable lifelong skills 

Panelists shared that the experiences they gained as students—planning programs, managing budgets, collaborating with student organizations, navigating difficult conversations—directly prepared them for the responsibilities they now manage in their careers. They also highlighted how their time at George Mason allowed them to build meaningful relationships with staff, advisors, and mentors who helped guide their leadership development. 

The alumni discussed the lasting impact of fraternity and sorority membership, noting that the values of brotherhood, sisterhood, service, and accountability continue to shape how they lead teams, support their communities, and approach their work. 

Insights from the panelists reinforced a key message for current students: The leadership opportunities available at George Mason, both inside and outside the classroom, can serve as powerful foundations for future careers and lifelong leadership. 

The Alumni Leadership Speaker Series aims to connect students with alumni whose experiences demonstrate how campus involvement can translate into meaningful professional and community impact long after graduation. If you are interested in collaborating on a future Alumni Leadership Speaker Series, please contact Lisa Snyder.